unplanned

adjective

un·​planned ˌən-ˈpland 

: not expected or intended : not planned

an unplanned detour

an unplanned pregnancy

Synonyms of unplanned

• accidental
• unexpected

Examples of unplanned in a Sentence

an unplanned change in our itinerary—we got lost!

stumbled through a completely unplanned acceptance speech

Recent Examples on the Web

An impulse purchase is an unplanned and spontaneous transaction. — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

But the younger Torii’s succession was an abrupt and unplanned one. — Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026

There was also a proposal for an AI-hotline-style back-channel between the two countries to provide early warning and additional context should rogue AI conduct unplanned operations. — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026

If your job search is beginning to look more like an unplanned retirement, run the numbers before deciding to stop looking for full-time work. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unplanned

• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand
• hinterland
• motherland